Hopefully he buys it because I need time to figure out how to tell him that we’re having a baby.
“That sounds like heaven, babe. I can’t wait.”
We kiss one more time before I climb into his Jeep and he walks back to his squad SUV.
“How am I going to tell him?” I whisper to myself as I back out of the parking spot and head home.
The scent of bacon hits me, making my stomach growl. I grab my phone off the nightstand and see it’s two o’clock in the afternoon.
When Maverick got home from work last night, he woke me after he took a shower. It was hours after that before he finally let me pass out, but I did it completely sated.
I crawl out of bed and throw on one of Maverick’s t-shirts. Across the hall, I step into the bathroom and use the facilities. After I wash my face and brush my teeth, I head out to the kitchen and find my man standing at the stove cooking.
He turns to smile at me as I step farther into the kitchen. “Come here.” When I am close enough, he grabs me and pulls me into his arms. “I didn’t think you were ever gonna get up.”
“Well maybe if someone didn’t keep me up late, I wouldn’t have slept all day.” I give him a sassy grin. “How long have you been up?”
“Only a half hour.”
I swat at him and he dips me, kissing me deep before letting me go. “Do you want me to whip up some eggs?”
“Yeah babe, that’d be great.”
Starting on the eggs, my stomach does a little flip, reminding me that I need to tell Maverick I’m pregnant, but not yet—I’m not ready. After cracking the eggs, I start beating them, adding a little half and half, salt, pepper, and butter. The eggs always taste so much better this way.
I set the bowl aside and grab the orange juice out of the refrigerator. The coffee beckons me, but I don’t think I’m supposed to have it. Of course, he’ll know something is up if I don’t drink some, so maybe I’ll just make a little cup and pretend to drink it.
Once breakfast or brunch, whatever, is done we take our plates outside and eat on the back deck. “What did you do this week while I was working?” he asks before grabbing a slice of bacon and popping it into his mouth.
“Butch and I spent a lot of time exploring. I hung out with my family a little. I’ve been thinking about looking for a job.”
Maverick’s eyes widen. “What about your travel vlog?”
That’s the million-dollar question, what am I going to do about it? I’ll be able to travel in the beginning, but there will be stuff that I won’t be able to do anymore. My savings isn’t going to sustain me forever and with a baby coming, I’m going to need health insurance.
“I still plan on doing it. I’ll do shorter trips, and maybe I could turn that into a thing. You know, weekend trips on a budget, making the most of a short period of time.”
“That sounds great. Do you know where you’re going to look for a job?”
After high school, I didn’t go to college, opting to travel instead. Now I’m thinking that wasn’t smart because I have no skills, or at least none that would help make finding a job easier.
“I thought maybe I’d ask around and see if anyone I know is hiring and then maybe start searching online.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for anything too. Did your dad tell you that Tawney is denying vandalizing your car?”
I nod.
“None of the neighbors saw anything either. Honestly, I know she did it. You know she did it, but we just can’t prove it.”
We finish our food and take our dishes inside. It’s a nice day and we decide to take Butch for a walk. Hand in hand, we walk down the street. The dog leading the way with a little doggie swagger.
This time next year I’ll be someone’s mom. That’s some scary shit. Am I really ready to be a parent? Of course, I doubt anyone is truly ready to become one. As we walk, I go over multiple scenarios in my head about how it’ll go when I tell Maverick. My stomach turns because of course they’re all bad.
“Hey.” He pulls on my hand. I look up at him. “Are you okay? You’re being quiet.”
I let go of his hand and wrap my arm around his waist. “Sorry, I’m just super tired for some reason.” It’s not a total lie.
We turn back and make small talk on the way back. Once home, I kick off my shoes, collapse on the bed, and pass out.
Twenty-Three
Maverick
I’m in love with Gwen and I’ve yet to tell her. I don’t know what I’m doing and what if she doesn’t feel the same, although I think she does. I’ve never felt this off kilter before.
Today is day three of my three days off and I’m grilling steaks, baking twice-baked potatoes, and boiling corn on the cob. I thought after dinner tonight I could take her to the ocean and tell her under the stars how I feel.
This guy is not me, but for her I want to do it in a way that she’ll always remember. I look out the kitchen window and see that she’s weeding a flower bed next to the shed and Butch is lying on the grass next to her. That dog is a traitor because if she’s home then he’s always next to her.
While I watch them, I smile because Gwen stops every few minutes to give our boy some love. I was happy and somewhat relieved when she said that she was going to be looking for a job around here—call me selfish, but I wasn’t jazzed about her being gone a lot.
Gwen’s an addiction that I hope I never cure, as cheesy as that sounds. I don’t want to fuck this up, and I know I’m going to make mistakes, but she’s it for me. I can’t picture my life without her in it.
Fuck, I sound like a pussy right now, but I can’t find it in me to care. I want to treat her like the queen she is. Dad wasn’t the best role model before he split. It was no love lost when he took off, and as hard as it was for Mom, I swear she breathed a sigh of relief when he left.
I open the sliding door. “Babe?” I wait until she looks up, smiling at me. “How about we eat an early dinner and afterward I take you for a ride?”
Gwen stands up, pulling off the gardening gloves she bought. She smiles as she walks toward me. “That sounds like a plan.” Her mouth opens wide in a jaw-cracking yawn.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been tired a lot lately.”
“I’m fine. I promise. My sleep schedule is just a little wonky from getting up in the middle of the night with you.” Gwen wraps her arms around my waist. “Not that I’m complaining.” She leans in, kissing the base of my throat.
“Go take a nap and I may join you.” When she turns to walk away, I swat her ass, smiling when she gives a little “yelp” and a hop.
Dinner dishes are cleaned up and Gwen comes out of the bedroom in jeans that fit her like a motherfucking glove. Her white tank top is tucked into them and she’s got a thick cardigan in her hand.
I let Butch out one more time before we lock up and head out to my bike. The scenery is fucking magnificent. The sky is a pinkish orange as the sun starts to set. I decide to take her to a bluff instead of the ocean, but from that spot you can see the ocean and at this time of day, it’s beautiful.